An Ilford mosque remains closed as police investigate after a "gunshot" was apparently fired outside the building.

Armed police were scrambled to Seven Kings Mosque on High Road yesterday evening (Thursday, May 9) amid reports that a masked gunman had entered the building during Ramadan prayers before firing a gun when made to leave.

Scotland Yard confirmed no-one was hurt and early investigations suggested a "blank-firing handgun" had been discharged.

Detectives said the incident may have stemmed from something that happened nearby earlier that day and was not being treated as terrorism related.

A side door of the mosque has been reopened for worshippers to use but an officer at the scene said it was unlikely the mosque would reopen fully until Friday night or Saturday morning.

Worshippers arriving for Friday prayers (Image: PA)

Sadiq Kothia, a local councillor who was in the congregation on Thursday night, said: "I was praying inside there. Very few people saw what happened.

"It happened so fast and so quickly, so at this moment in time it's important the community is reassured and feels safe. It's the first Friday of Ramadan, so it will be busy."

Worshipper Ibraheem Hussain, 19, described hearing the gunshot around half an hour after prayers began.

"The suspect ran from the scene when stopped by brothers standing guard at the mosque."

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 22.45pm on Thursday, May 9, to reports that a man, believed to be in possession of a firearm, had entered a mosque on High Road in Seven Kings.